Page 114 of Tanner

Tanner looked down at the table and Miles could see the blush covering his cheeks.

Cody spoke after that. “He’s building stability. That’s the part I think matters now. Not just what he did before. What he’s doing now. He lets people in when it’s useful for Savannah, even when it’s obviously hard for him. He follows through and he doesn’t quit when that would be the easier option for him.”

Orsen added, “I’ve been to the house. It’s safe, it’s looked after, and he’s looking after Savannah. He puts her needs before his own.”

The lawyer asked a few more questions after that, mostly to Rebecca. Was there any basis to recommend removal? No. Any current evidence of neglect within the home? No. Was kinship placement with Tanner the department’s recommendation pending review? Yes, with conditions.

Conditions. Tanner went still again at that word.

The court admin woman read them out one by one. Temporary kinship placement to remain with Tanner Fernsby. Continued cooperation with child services. Completion of preschool enrollment. Attendance at the scheduled follow-up date in six weeks. Any significant change in housing, income, or child welfare to be reported. Standard enough that Miles barely registered them. Tanner heard every word as if each one had weight.

Then the woman looked down at the page in front of her and said, “Based on the information provided and the department recommendation, interim kinship placement is confirmed pending temporary guardianship review. Savannah remains in Mr. Fernsby’s care.”

Savannah, who had spent most of the meeting on a chair with her rabbit and a coloring pad Cody had given her, asked in a loud whisper, “We done?”

The lawyer gave the smallest smile. “Almost.”

Miles looked at Tanner, who was staring at the table. Miles watched the words reach him in stages. Remains in care. Confirmed. Not today. Not taken. Not moved. His hand was flat on the table and Miles put his own beside it, not touching at first. Tanner turned his hand over and gripped his fingers hard enough to hurt.

The rest of the meeting wrapped fast after that. Dates confirmed. Copies handed over. Follow-up explained. Rebecca spoke directly to Tanner before they stood.

“You did what was asked of you.”

Tanner looked at her. “Yeah.”

“You keep doing it.”

Tanner nodded.

Outside the building, the others drifted a little way ahead to give them room. TJ took a call near the steps. Mrs. Hemsworth was talking to Cody and Orsen had Savannah on his hip.

Tanner stopped on the pavement and just stood there with the papers in his hand.

Miles stayed beside him, giving him the time he needed, and after a minute Tanner said, “I thought I’d feel different.”

Miles looked at him. “You do. It just hasn’t caught up yet.”

Tanner gave a breath that might have been half a laugh. “Maybe.”

Miles nodded toward the papers. “It’s real.”

Tanner looked down at them, then over at Savannah in Orsen’s arms, then back at the building behind them before finally looking at Miles. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I think it is.”

Miles held his gaze for a second and kept his own voice level. “Good. Then we go home, and when the next meeting comes, we walk into that one stronger.”

Tanner looked at him then nodded. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

The house was too quiet after they got back from the courthouse. Savannah had kicked off her shoes in the hall, demanded toast even though she’d had snacks on the way home, then crashed on the sofa with her rabbit tucked under her chin before the second slice was done. Miles had lifted her, carried her to bed, and shut her door softly behind him.

Tanner stood in the kitchen with the papers from court on the table in front of him. He’d read the top page three times already. Interim kinship placement confirmed. Follow-up date. Conditions. Standard wording. The same kind of official language that had made him sick all week. Only this time it had ended with Savannah staying here.

Miles came back into the kitchen and stopped next from him. “You should sit down.”

Tanner looked up at him. “I’m fine.”